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Pirates of the Faren Sea #0.5
The Baker and the Elf Pirate
Lady Margot dreams of baking, but her mother won’t allow her anywhere near a kitchen. So Margot sneaks out for lessons with a local baker, knowing full well that if her mother learns the truth, her entire future is on the line.
When she nearly runs into her gossip-loving aunt on her way home from a lesson, discovery seems imminent. Her only option is to grab the nearest person and beg him to hide her.
Alvon is not accustomed to being clutched at by frantic young women. He is an elf, a pirate, and a spy, and anyone who gets this close meets a quick end. But something about the girl—her beauty, her desperation—catches his attention.
Neither is looking for love. Their lives don't align at all. But it soon becomes clear that a future apart is no longer an option.
When she nearly runs into her gossip-loving aunt on her way home from a lesson, discovery seems imminent. Her only option is to grab the nearest person and beg him to hide her.
Alvon is not accustomed to being clutched at by frantic young women. He is an elf, a pirate, and a spy, and anyone who gets this close meets a quick end. But something about the girl—her beauty, her desperation—catches his attention.
Neither is looking for love. Their lives don't align at all. But it soon becomes clear that a future apart is no longer an option.
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Published January 1, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
June 30, 2026
Review - The Baker and the Pirate Elf by Eliza Prokopovits.
This was a great novella and exciting start of the series. Margot and Missy were such great characters and friends, you can’t help but love them.
Alvon was also the dark and dangerous pirate who went all out to protect and get what was his. I enjoyed their first meeting, very bold and unexpected, but still sweet.
I look forward to reading book 1 The Hostage and the Elf Pirate, following the story of Missy and Captain Kildran.
This was a great novella and exciting start of the series. Margot and Missy were such great characters and friends, you can’t help but love them.
Alvon was also the dark and dangerous pirate who went all out to protect and get what was his. I enjoyed their first meeting, very bold and unexpected, but still sweet.
I look forward to reading book 1 The Hostage and the Elf Pirate, following the story of Missy and Captain Kildran.
June 22, 2026
Content:
Profanity: None.
Violence: Mild. A character whips out a knife, and he has scars that he vaguely hints at that are from battles. There is a battle on a boat and characters are seen cleaning blood off blades after the fact.
Sexual: Mild. There are moments of hand-holding, burrying head on chest, and being held. Foreheads touching, kisses on the hand/knuckles, and a few on-the-lips kisses that are swoony not spicy. There is a moment where a character leers at a woman, and lingers on her form and her chest specifically.
Triggers: Controlling mother to the point of basically selling off a child who won't do as she wants. The mother says that she needs a husband with a firm hand to keep her in line. A man agrees. It's icky.
This was so dang cute!
Alvon and Margot make my warm-fuzzy romance top ten list. I adore how sweet they are together, and how Alvon works to make sure they can be together. Margot's parents are the worst. That mother of hers needed a slap. I was exstatic to see her find Alvon, who loved her quirks almost immediately and went out of his way to get to know her better.
For being such a short story, this was so well done. Yes, the romance is fast, but I didn't mind at all, because it was SO SWEET. I loved the balance of day-to-day life, piracy, backstory, hints of future stories, adventure, and plotting.
I'm more than ready for full novels in this world!
Profanity: None.
Violence: Mild. A character whips out a knife, and he has scars that he vaguely hints at that are from battles. There is a battle on a boat and characters are seen cleaning blood off blades after the fact.
Sexual: Mild. There are moments of hand-holding, burrying head on chest, and being held. Foreheads touching, kisses on the hand/knuckles, and a few on-the-lips kisses that are swoony not spicy. There is a moment where a character leers at a woman, and lingers on her form and her chest specifically.
Triggers: Controlling mother to the point of basically selling off a child who won't do as she wants. The mother says that she needs a husband with a firm hand to keep her in line. A man agrees. It's icky.
This was so dang cute!
Alvon and Margot make my warm-fuzzy romance top ten list. I adore how sweet they are together, and how Alvon works to make sure they can be together. Margot's parents are the worst. That mother of hers needed a slap. I was exstatic to see her find Alvon, who loved her quirks almost immediately and went out of his way to get to know her better.
For being such a short story, this was so well done. Yes, the romance is fast, but I didn't mind at all, because it was SO SWEET. I loved the balance of day-to-day life, piracy, backstory, hints of future stories, adventure, and plotting.
I'm more than ready for full novels in this world!
July 2, 2026
Margot longs to be free of her mother’s controlling nature and would gladly create baked goods all day if she could. But her being the only daughter of the local lord, she could never be caught in a kitchen getting dirty. Her mother has been making comments and trying to convince her father that it is time she stop wasting her time and find a husband to keep her in line. Something Margot knows will kill her soul. While rushing home after her latest baking escapade with her mentor she sees someone who could put an end to her secret life. Hiding behind the first thing, well person, that will completely conceal her while asking for help, she belated realizes she hid behind a very muscular and striking elf. Alvon is not used to people asking him for help let alone an attractive female human. But he can see the fear in her eyes and is willing to defend her at a moment's notice. After he safely walks her towards her home he realizes that she has left behind an impression. Some kind of connection he hasn't felt in a long time, something he wants to figure out before he moves on. But the more he explores this the more he realizes he doesn't want to let her go.
This was a quick prequel that was meant to start a new series. It was a cute hook that as much as it was cozy does have some interesting ideas with consequences I'm sure we will see in the novel that is coming. I was glad to see that the FMC is grounded in knowing that her fears may not seem devastating to others but they are to her and that she knows her limits. She was willing to work with what she had and knew. Alvon could have been portrayed as a rougher character, he admitted to the background but he also knows that wasn't the life he wanted but his brothers. For him to be able to do what he wanted finally was nice to see. This did actually catch my interest and I am looking forward to the novel that is coming out.
This was a quick prequel that was meant to start a new series. It was a cute hook that as much as it was cozy does have some interesting ideas with consequences I'm sure we will see in the novel that is coming. I was glad to see that the FMC is grounded in knowing that her fears may not seem devastating to others but they are to her and that she knows her limits. She was willing to work with what she had and knew. Alvon could have been portrayed as a rougher character, he admitted to the background but he also knows that wasn't the life he wanted but his brothers. For him to be able to do what he wanted finally was nice to see. This did actually catch my interest and I am looking forward to the novel that is coming out.
July 15, 2026
What a delightful cozy prequel and a great introduction to not only a new series, but a new author for me. It was a quick easy read with a dash of suspense and romance along with some cute fuzzy vibes. I'm hoping that both the characters from this turn up in book one, as I adored both of them and I'm interested (and invested) to see more of their story and how they are getting on. And after reading this I can't wait to see Margot's cousin Missy get her own adventure.
Margot has been secretly baking since she was fifteen, finding a mentor in the local baker who helps her indulge her passion and gives her lessons as often as she can get away. It's something her mother would never allow due to her standing. In fact her controlling mother dictates every aspect of her life, from what she reads to approved men that she can socialise with. But the threat of being married off to anyone of her mother's choosing, is a fate Margot dreads more than anything. When rushing home after one such lesson, she spots her aunt who's a big gossip and would definitely expose her secret if she's seen. So Margot grabs the closest person to hide her from her aunt's sight. The person in question is Alvon, an elf and a pirate who is on land gathering information for his captain, and after seeing her fear not only hides her but is willing to defend her at a moments notice. After that first meeting, Alvon is intrigued by the beautiful human and is determined to find out more about her.
Yeah I enjoyed this immensely and will definitely be reading more by this author in the future. And this wonderful novella is available when you sign up for the author's newsletter. Totally recommend 😁
Margot has been secretly baking since she was fifteen, finding a mentor in the local baker who helps her indulge her passion and gives her lessons as often as she can get away. It's something her mother would never allow due to her standing. In fact her controlling mother dictates every aspect of her life, from what she reads to approved men that she can socialise with. But the threat of being married off to anyone of her mother's choosing, is a fate Margot dreads more than anything. When rushing home after one such lesson, she spots her aunt who's a big gossip and would definitely expose her secret if she's seen. So Margot grabs the closest person to hide her from her aunt's sight. The person in question is Alvon, an elf and a pirate who is on land gathering information for his captain, and after seeing her fear not only hides her but is willing to defend her at a moments notice. After that first meeting, Alvon is intrigued by the beautiful human and is determined to find out more about her.
Yeah I enjoyed this immensely and will definitely be reading more by this author in the future. And this wonderful novella is available when you sign up for the author's newsletter. Totally recommend 😁
June 15, 2026
Omg! So good. Full review’
I love Missy and Margot as a Friendship. They are cousins and they are so nice. 😊
Also, Margot learning to escape her abusive, controlling mother at the end is awesome!
I also loved Alvon and Margot as a couple!
He’s protective and affectionate towards her, and they bake together, and run away to be adventurous together!
lol 😂 I am eager to read more about kildran and his love interest’s story!
Kildran is amazing as himself.
Best quotes: “Love doesn’t stop just because the beloved is gone,” he whispered, brushing his lips over where his fingers had just been. “Only when the heart that loves stops beating, and maybe not even then.”
More tears escaped, and Alvon kissed them away. “We’ll figure it out together,” he murmured. “But I don’t want to miss a day with you. Say you’ll marry me.”
Margot felt all the freedom and power of choice, all the love and hope she’d craved. She rose up on her toes to press her lips to his in a kiss full of promise.
“Yes,” she whispered. Their lips met again and again. “Yes.”
“No one would drag her back to Queensbridge.
She was free.
Margot watched the glitter of moonlight on the rippling surface of the water as they glided along in silence. There would be time for talking later, but for now, she was exhausted, emotionally and physically. It was enough to just be here, safe with Alvon”
“You know you’re my favorite person in the world,” Margot murmured. “That won’t change.”
Missy tilted her head, her lips curving up into a smirk. “I’ll settle for second favorite.”
I love Missy and Margot as a Friendship. They are cousins and they are so nice. 😊
Also, Margot learning to escape her abusive, controlling mother at the end is awesome!
I also loved Alvon and Margot as a couple!
He’s protective and affectionate towards her, and they bake together, and run away to be adventurous together!
lol 😂 I am eager to read more about kildran and his love interest’s story!
Kildran is amazing as himself.
Best quotes: “Love doesn’t stop just because the beloved is gone,” he whispered, brushing his lips over where his fingers had just been. “Only when the heart that loves stops beating, and maybe not even then.”
More tears escaped, and Alvon kissed them away. “We’ll figure it out together,” he murmured. “But I don’t want to miss a day with you. Say you’ll marry me.”
Margot felt all the freedom and power of choice, all the love and hope she’d craved. She rose up on her toes to press her lips to his in a kiss full of promise.
“Yes,” she whispered. Their lips met again and again. “Yes.”
“No one would drag her back to Queensbridge.
She was free.
Margot watched the glitter of moonlight on the rippling surface of the water as they glided along in silence. There would be time for talking later, but for now, she was exhausted, emotionally and physically. It was enough to just be here, safe with Alvon”
“You know you’re my favorite person in the world,” Margot murmured. “That won’t change.”
Missy tilted her head, her lips curving up into a smirk. “I’ll settle for second favorite.”
July 12, 2026
This was a very sweet prequel novella about a chance encounter, yearning to break free from family pressure and expectations, determination to pursue hobbies, and embracing love even when it seems impossible. I would call it a cozy fantasy romance with a hint of adventure.
It was very well written, and the story really held me. The dual POV format helped to round out the details and make it feel like a longer book than it was. I do wish we had learned more about the MMC, as his POV chapters always seemed very guarded, which could just be a reflection of his personality. I do hope we get to see more of these characters in the next book!
Overall, I recommend this book! I think people who like to read cozy fantasy, low-stakes adventure, and sweet romance would enjoy it immensely. I’m excited to continue the story in The Hostage and The Elf Pirate!
It was very well written, and the story really held me. The dual POV format helped to round out the details and make it feel like a longer book than it was. I do wish we had learned more about the MMC, as his POV chapters always seemed very guarded, which could just be a reflection of his personality. I do hope we get to see more of these characters in the next book!
Overall, I recommend this book! I think people who like to read cozy fantasy, low-stakes adventure, and sweet romance would enjoy it immensely. I’m excited to continue the story in The Hostage and The Elf Pirate!
July 22, 2026
This was a sweet prequel novella, which starts with Lady Margot sneaking out frequently to the local bakery to learn how to bake, since her mother won’t allow her anywhere near a kitchen. After Elf pirate Alvon runs into Margot, he’s captivated and can’t help but show up at the bakery when he’s in town to bake with Margot. The more time they spend together, the more of a connection they feel. Alvon begins to think about leaving the sea and settling down and Margot is desperate to find a way to leave her parents’ home before they marry her off to some old, nasty lord. There is no spice whatsoever, but there is a nice bit of romance and I think that fit perfectly in the story. I’m looking forward to reading the next book, which features Margot’s cousin Missy and Alvon’s brother, Kildran.
March 18, 2026
This prequel novella was lovely. Margot was funny, kind, clever, and talented with baking and spending time with her mentor and her cousin Missy. Alvon was thoughtful, loyal, and considerate to Margot and those he served in the pirate’s crew. The baked goods they made in the story sounded so good. Margot’s mother and potential suitors were awful, and I wanted to give her and Missy a hug. Alvon was wonderful and I enjoyed seeing him and Margot become friends and hope for something more. Overall, if you like baked goods, solid worldbuilding, wonderful characters and sweet strangers-to-lovers / pirate elf x noblewoman / baker to sweet fantasy romance with no spice, then I would highly recommend this book.
July 9, 2026
The Baker and the Elf Pirate by Eliza Prokopovits
Margot sneaks out for lessons with a local baker, knowing full well that if her mother learns the truth, her entire future is on the line...
Such a delightful little novella! Actually, my favorite of this author's so far. Loved Margot and Alvon's chance encounter with the trifle! Their love story is super cute, and although the book is short, it didn't feel rushed. Simple worldbuilding with different fantasy races, humans, elves, trolls, etc. Super excited to read Missy's story next!
Genre: Fantasy romance
Content: no spice, language, or violence
Prequel to Pirates of the Farren Sea
Margot sneaks out for lessons with a local baker, knowing full well that if her mother learns the truth, her entire future is on the line...
Such a delightful little novella! Actually, my favorite of this author's so far. Loved Margot and Alvon's chance encounter with the trifle! Their love story is super cute, and although the book is short, it didn't feel rushed. Simple worldbuilding with different fantasy races, humans, elves, trolls, etc. Super excited to read Missy's story next!
Genre: Fantasy romance
Content: no spice, language, or violence
Prequel to Pirates of the Farren Sea
July 6, 2026
Delightful, sweet, cozy fantasy romance by new to me author Eliza Prokopovits. What's a little trifle between strangers. Margot and Alvon's relationship proves that trifle, absence, and cooking in close proximity does make the heart grow fonder! I'm already looking forward to feisty Missy's story in the next book. Also, I hope there are recipes included somewhere on the author's book site!
July 12, 2026
Cute and easy to read. I think this was a good introduction to the world and characters to come in the Pirates of the Faren Sea trilogy. I enjoyed it when I first read it and would have given it 3 stars. However, after reading the next book (the first in the trilogy, The Hostage and the Elf Pirate), I felt this novella was even more relevant and appreciated it more. So, 4 stars it is 😌.
April 18, 2026
For being so short it still felt like a complete story, and I enjoy it.
The characters are likable, except the ones meant to be unlikable.
The worldbuilding is interesting, and I am looking forward to reading the next book set in this world.
Content: clean, no spice, no swearing, nothing gory
The characters are likable, except the ones meant to be unlikable.
The worldbuilding is interesting, and I am looking forward to reading the next book set in this world.
Content: clean, no spice, no swearing, nothing gory
June 5, 2026
I was worried that this may have been too short or feminist, but I should not have. It is perfect! It is set in a fantasy world, but in a Regency tone/society. It is the perfect blend, and is clean yet romantic.
June 14, 2026
I’m halfway between “okay, this is completely unrealistic and definitely love at first sight (which I don’t put much stock in)”, and “that romance was the cutest ever and both characters are simply adorable 🥰 “.
Oh well. I think I’ll just leave it at that ”I liked the book”. 😊
Oh well. I think I’ll just leave it at that ”I liked the book”. 😊
July 10, 2026
This was a fun short read - thank you to Eliza Prokopovits for providing a free copy on your website!
The book is a clean fantasy romance with brief mentions of faith. The characters are likable, and I personally like books with a lot of baking - puts me in a baking mood, too.
The book is a clean fantasy romance with brief mentions of faith. The characters are likable, and I personally like books with a lot of baking - puts me in a baking mood, too.
March 13, 2026
I enjoyed this cute story and the world in this book. looking forward to seeing the world expand in the next book.
April 19, 2026
Sweet
April 25, 2026
A thrilling and dashing book that I couldn't put down. There was a beautiful promise for more!
June 19, 2026
I could not put the book down😩
Catchy plot, lovely characters, strong emotions.
A big, big yes.
Can’t wait to read more in Missy and Kildran’s story🤩
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Catchy plot, lovely characters, strong emotions.
A big, big yes.
Can’t wait to read more in Missy and Kildran’s story🤩
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
July 9, 2026
Ah! The swoon! I'm happy that this one was short because I couldn't put it down. But I'm also sad because I want more of their story.
July 14, 2026
Such an adorable short story! I love Margot and Alvon. They're so cute and this story was perfectly cozy, just what I needed when I wanted a short, cozy, romance to finish in a day. Margot's baking definitely also made me want to go make something tasty while her mom made me want to hit something. Prokopovits is great at evoking emotion I have now learned!
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews